DO: Wondering how (and when!) to talk to your tween about the "birds & the bees"?

Do you have a tween (age 11-14)? I'm sure you are continually shocked, like I am, at the earlier and earlier age that tweens in our society are becoming "sexualized". Read some of these stats:

• 54% of tweens will own cell phones within the next three years. 
• 54% of teens between 13-14 years old have a facebook page. 
• Teens between the ages of 15-17 spend approximately 19.9 hours online every week (that is almost HALF a work week for most adults!) hmmm...when are they doing their homework?? 
• Tweens who have been in a relationship report peer pressure and emotional and physical abuse (kicked, hit, slapped or punched) by a boyfriend/girlfriend.  

I hope you agree with me that Tweens have no business getting into relationships of any kind. They don't have the wisdom to know what to do in situations that make them uncomfortable. Until a child is at a place where marriage is a legitimate option, why date? 


Do you know who he/she should be dating? Their mom and dad! I know that may sound weird at first glance, but mom and dad are going to give him/her the self-confidence to know who they are in Christ, that she is beautiful (and he is handsome!), that they are valued...and not just valued on the outside. A tween knows their mom &/or dad loves the from the inside out! :) I'm so excited about these fun resources, I might start reading them now for my "little ones"!


Resources for raising healthy, happy tweens:


Wondering how and when to talk to your tween about sex? See this wonderful website!

PureIntimacy.org

Focus on the Families resource list for Sex Education

Sex Education Resources approved by Focus on the Family

Secret Keeper Girl Resources:

What is a Secret Keeper Girl?

Well, she is lots of things! A Secret Keeper Girl values modesty, she surrounds herself with wise friends and she embraces Godly beauty. So, she keeps the deepest secrets of her beauty for just one man. But she also knows that she can share all of her heart secrets with her mom at any time. The coolest thing for you to know is that a Secret Keeper Girl is a masterpiece created by God. So whether you are new to our site or a SKG pro who’s been to an event, read “Secret Keeper Girl” or already had eight great dates with your momma, you, sweet girl, are a Secret Keeper Girl because you are a true masterpiece created by God’s hand. 

This website has all sorts of great resources for parents and kids. They have conferences that would be a fantastic place to bring your tween!  

http://www.secretkeepergirl.com/

The next Secret Keeper Girl conference in our area will be:

March 4, 2011 - 7:00 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. at Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, IL

CLC Lisle will plan to attend as a group. We will be registering as the date gets closer.

PASSPORT2PURITY

I love that this is made for a boy or a girl! Thank you Dennis Rainy, of Family Life Today. This is a fun, non-threatening way to connect with your children while teaching them godly principles of sexuality with the Passport2Purity program, a weekend getaway that will be life-changing for both of you.




Bringing Up Boys

My all-time favorite compendium for all issues related to boys - their development from birth to adulthood. If you have a boy, you must read this book.




The Body Book (for girls)

The body book deals with the body changes that are going on within a tween. Very helpful if mom reads this alongside her tween! Lots of discussion openers.

Wild Things - the art of nurturing boys

The book contains helpful sidebars addressing specific topics to discuss with your son such as sex, drugs, homosexuality, pornography, and masturbation. Each chapter ends with a section called "Putting It into Practice" that gives practical directions on how to successfully interact with boys at each respective level of development. It covers birth to manhood.

Six Ways to Keep the "Little" in Your Girl

I heard an interview on Moody Radio with the author of "Six Ways to keep the LITTLE in Your Girl"...she was so wonderful and encouraging. She has daughters that are in their teens...so she knows the battles you face with society. She gives you great, practical advice she has used in raising her daughters. She is also the author of the Secret Keeper Girl Series. 

Focus on the Family Resources

If you've got a tween - you must read this wonderful article! It calls you to put your child on a "media diet" :) There are great tips on how to keep your child protected from the damaging influence of the oversexualization of pre-teens. Great, great stuff!

Damaging Influences on Tweens - by Focus on the Family

Next Steps - great articles for raising healthy, happy tweens - Focus on the Family

Be encouraged! Your tween is looking to you for direction, guidance, security, self-acceptance and love. You can be the change agent in their lives. Look into these resources and prayerfully keep your tweens focused on the right path. (any of these resources might be a great Christmas present as well, just a thought :) 

Enjoy!

Kristen